WELCOME

Small businesses often suffer a knee jerk reaction to outside influences when it comes to spending. Take the economy for instance. How many of you run your finger down each line item on your expense statement and mentally prioritize what stays and what goes based on the Dow's latest ups and downs?

Not that that's a bad thing. It's what we do to keep the train rolling down the tracks. But from experts I've talked with, one item that should keep its place in the budget is marketing. What's your budget now? Maybe zero.

On October 22, we will be hosting an event just for small businesses who think they don't need marketing. And we'll hear from one of those experts who will help you with some ideas for marketing without spending. Or at least without spending the kinds of dollars that make your stomach ache.

You'll be hearing more about this seminar in the next issue of AR Online in two weeks. But for the time being, pen in (not pencil) the date for this event (October 22, 8:30 to 10:30 am). It will be a good one - and yes, I'll have the coffee and bagels ready.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

IRS Backs Small Biz Recovery

The IRS is reminding businesses that time is running out to take advantage of the expanded business loss carryback option included in this year's recovery law.

The provision offers small businesses cash if they lost money last year but can show that they were profitable in previous years.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted in February, many small businesses that had expenses exceeding their income for 2008 can choose to carry the resulting loss back for up to five years, instead of the usual two.

A calendar-year corporation that qualifies as an eligible small business (ESB) must file a claim today, September 15. For individuals, the deadline is October 15, 2009. This includes a sole proprietor that qualifies as an ESB, an individual partner in a partnership that qualifies as an ESB and a shareholder in an S corporation that qualifies as an ESB. Deadlines vary for fiscal-year taxpayers, depending upon when their fiscal year ends and whether they are making the choice for the tax year that ends or begins in 2008.

New MBA Benefit: Help Now IT Service

MBA is proud to announce its association with member Help Now, an IT company that is geared towards helping small businesses and their computer challenges.

Whatever your line of business, Help Now makes technology work efficiently and creatively, allowing you time to run your business and achieve your goals.

Guardian Support - Computer down time equals lost work hours as employees are unable to continue with their daily functions. Guardian Support will reliably support and monitor the health of your technology as your business requirements evolve.

As an MBA member, Help Now will offer you an evaluation of your
system's special requirements and a discounted, fixed monthly cost for their service.

Contact Help Now's Tony Fiore at 610-590-4691 for more information.

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MARKETING

Do You Still Know Your Niche?

When was the last time you rethought who your target audience is or what niche your business fits into? As your business grows and factors clash with what you consider to be business as usual, it's necessary to redefine who and what you stand for.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you reassess your target audience:

• Are you trying to do too much for too many people, and if so, how can I refine and simplify my marketing efforts?
  
  
• Does your brand represent the changing needs and quality your customers seek as technology advances?
  
  
• What types of clients do you like to work with, and can they be targeted by the places they congregate?

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YOUR FINANCES

Outsourcing Small Biz Telemarketing

Outsourcing telemarketing can be a cost-effective alternative to creating an in-house system. The right telemarketing agency can make sales calls, generate leads, conduct surveys, manage increased success rates and more. Here are some tips for choosing the right telemarketing vendor to represent your business:

Arrange a Visit: If possible, arrange a tour of the telemarketing facility. You should also plan a listening session to determine the performance, level of competency and enthusiasm that sales reps show when discussing products.

References: Request references from current and former clients. Contact them with questions like: Did this vendor help fulfill your goals and how? What were the vendor's strengths and weaknesses?

Compatibility: Be sure that the vendor has worked in your industry or has had experience selling to your target demographic. Aside from experience, make sure that if you are using in-house management software for data analysis that their system is compatible with yours. If so, you may have the option of seeing results in real time.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Portraying Your Home Business

The label of "home business" is often an obstacle that needs to be overcome in order to build credibility with your clients. You don't need to advertise that your business is home-based, but you shouldn't deny it if the issue arises.

Misleading clients or misrepresenting the size or ability of your business is a certain path to doomed credibility. Remember, professionalism has little to do with the size of your business, and more to do with the quality of service and product you provide.

Here are some simple steps to show potential clients you mean business:

• Obtain a business phone number or 800-number with automated messaging service.
  
  
• A well-designed web site and blog (both can be obtained online for free) with visible testimonials lets people know that you're trusted in the community.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Let Them Surf

Many employers waste much time, energy and money trying to stop their employees from surfing the web for personal reasons during work hours - but they may be doing more harm than good. A University of Melbourne study found that employees who occasionally surf the web were more productive than those who were denied the privilege.

Researchers concluded that employees who surf the web for fun were able to relax and refuel allowing them to get back to their work with a revitalized focus. Employers can seize this opportunity to give their employees an added perk while increasing their productivity and the employee's sense of freedom.

Of course, browsing guidelines should be established (including a list of approved sites) and antivirus software should be kept up-to-date for all systems. Still worried about the security of your workstations? Consider setting up a "playstation" that is connected to the Internet but not to any secure networks, databases, etc.

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IT

Anagram Organizes with a Click

Anagram is a tool that uses text-capturing technology to let users grab important business info. With a single click, Anagram can transfer basic contact and address information and appointments to programs in your PC.

Anagram currently works with Gmail, Google Calendar, Salesforce.com, Outlook, Palm Desktop, Jigsaw and NetSuite - and also offers the option of editing the "final destinations" of your captured information.

There is a free 45-day trial for PC users on Anagram's homepage.

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NEW MEMBERS

When our member base increases there is more of everything: more creative networking, more benefits and more experienced, enthusiastic business owners. All move our members toward growth, success and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Click here to meet our newest small business partners.

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COMMENTARY

Common Sense 2 Obamanomics 0
By Stephen Markowitz

No sense re-inventing the wheel. My only comment this week is to listen to US Representative Mike Rogers (R. MI, 8th CD). Not all eloquence comes from the Oval Office. This gentleman says it much better than I ever could.

If you are a business owner or manager or a person with health issues, take the four minutes necessary to watch this video.

This is footage from the floor of Congress. Click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc

MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

Business Boosting Networking Event

Join us for bagels, coffee and business, and bring plenty of business cards!

Wednesday, October 7
8:30 to 10:30 AM
MBA Conference Room - Broomall, PA

$5 for members,
$15 for non-members to attend,
$30 for non-members to attend and join MBA

Click here to register

View the photo gallery from our last networking event

Seminar: Marketing

The New Marketing 101
Doing More By Spending Less

Presented by: MBA Member Brian Leatherberry, Leatherberry Consulting

Thursday, October 22
8:30 to 10:30 AM
MBA Conference Room - Broomall, PA

$10 for MBA members,
$25 for non-members,
$35 for non-members includes seminar & MBA membership
(all non-members must pay in advance)

Click here to register

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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter

Timand Productions
(610)724-7388
Add a touch of Magic to your next meeting/event!

Unless specifically indicated, MBA does not intend mention of companies, products or services discussed in this publication to be construed to be endorsements. The information in this publication is offered as examples that may be useful to our small business readers. Please consult with an industry professional before implementing any of the tips or subscribing to any of the services described above.